Short Book Report:
"Heaven is for Real", but this book is a fake.

[a ministry publication of FEDBP and Snapshots of a Disciple]

Hello brethren and friends,

It seems that practicing discernment is a lost art and habit these days. In the US, a large portion of those in what is called the US 'Christian' community have become so lukewarm that they get bored with faithful obedience, and instead chase the next thrill, excitement, intrigue or sin-filled pleasure. This should be common info, but because there is such a lack of Biblical definitions on everything in American society, it needs restating: sin what God defines it as, and rebellion is what God defines it as, not what the world and popular 501c3 CEOs say it is. We have many who stand behind a pulpit, but they care nothing about the spiritual health of their congregation/flock, only that they keep everyone happy (as best as possible) and give them enough fluff and clever wording and stories to keep the money rolling in. Jesus said this clearly: "²⁴No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24) And another key passage: "¹⁵And Jesus said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. '" (Luke 16:15) And another passage: "²⁶Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)

My brethren and friends, we must take great care not to accept a 'new source' that supposedly has 'better info' than what God clearly states in His Word. If God says it in His Word, then He is 100% trustworthy. Just make sure the Hebrew/Greek match what the text is thought to say (which is essential to do, because all English translations are mediocre at best). So, as long as you/we are understanding the text correctly, God's Word is the final source. Men can be deceived (which is why we are commanded many times to make sure that we are not deceived). Men can lie - intentionally for money and fame with men. Men cannot be trusted. As God says: "¹⁹God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)

Please allow me to also correct another very prominent error in almost all popular modern teaching. Jesus didn't tell 'sayings' - He spoke/speaks truth always, all the time. Period. And Jesus didn't tell 'stories' - each of those parables are short sermons teaching the fear of the Lord and obedience to those who are faithful enough to dig into them, and all of them have several complex teachings in them, that are described somewhere else in very plain text. Remember (as quite a few teachers have honorably said), never take an obscure text and try to explain a plain text. No, instead, take the literal of the plain text and explain the obscure ones. Always, in all places, at all times, God's Word is the most reliable and accurate definition-source and commentary on the Bible. No other book comes close - no Strong's Concordance, not any study Bible you can name (a trick that I too had fallen for many years, but am working to break free from), not your favorite Bible dictionary, not your old or new Webster's dictionary. None of those are a continual reliable source. If you want a Biblical definition - find a few clear verses that define it, for that is the Biblical definition. If you want to know what God says on any topic in life and the Bible, study it out to find 2 or 3 clear passages on that topic, and there will be your commentary. Sadly, many read one passage and skip the others, and they walk away thinking they understand it, while their 'understanding' of it contradicts other clear passages. That is placing what you/me wants to believe into the text, rather than letting the text speak for itself, or shall we say: Let God speak for Himself.

So, I apologize for that long intro, but for confused money-making topics such as this one, we have to get back to something solid, and an accurate honest understanding of God's teaching from His Word is the *only* way to find that. The only way. Remember, Jesus commanded us to take His Word literally and also showed that He does this too - by His own example. He caught the lying scribes and Pharisees on the verb-tense of the definition of His Name and Character. One verb-tense. And Jesus also said this
"¹⁷Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18) - Notice those words and take heed: Not. One. Jot. - Not. One. Tittle. Those are the two smallest markings in the Hebrew text and Jesus told us that all of it will be fulfilled. The Greek text is deeper than that in the English, but that's a fairly okay translation of it. A better translation of it would be combining the concepts of "fulfilled" and "upheld" and "carried out". As I've said to others, there is a lack of accurate depth in all of our English translations. Some get it better than others, but all of them have huge gaps when it comes to depth from the Hebrew and Greek. Please consider praying for God to raise up honest men and women to either correct modern translations or to work to put together better ones that they do not copyright for their greed-of-money, and pride of prestige. Thanks.

So, to the book ~ it is a great story. Notice I used the word: 'story'. 'Heaven is for Real' is a story, not eyewitness account. It is the supposed documenting of the 'eyewitness' view of Heaven as four-year-old. If he had actually seen Heaven, then it would not contradict the Bible - correct? So, why does this supposed 'eye-witness' account of Heaven contradict the Bible in almost a dozen places? I'll be glad to show you those details in just a minute, but I need to ask you a question first: if something contradicts the Bible on numerous points, can you trust that person to be accurate on the rest? No. Where things, studies, books, etc match God's Word, they are true. Where they change God's Word, they lie. As God says in Proverbs: "⁶Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6)

This guy, who says he's a pastor, seems to know very little about the Word of God. Maybe he reads to many books by men, but he spends most of his book being 'astounded' at something new about what Heaven 'looks like', and then using whatever random verse he can find to prove that his son is right and why you (the reader) should believe it.

Examples:
> God has a supposed 'rainbow horse' (pg 63). Really? That's not in the Bible.

> Jesus' hands had 'markers' (pg 67) - red markings where the nail scars were in His hands. The problem is that where young Colton said he saw them contradicts the Bible, but does fit all of what Follywood and the Vatican say. Colton says he saw them in the middle of Jesus' hands. The problem? if the spikes had been driven there, it would have - no question, broken some bones on His hands, contradicting a key prophecy about Jesus. "¹⁶For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; ¹⁷I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. ¹⁸They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." (Psalm 22:16-18) ~ Modern 'prophecies' of man in movies and books cannot be trusted at all. If they happen, it's because the person who made the 'prediction' is also involved with those who are self-fulfilling it. But, Biblical prophecies are never fulfilled by deceit. Many prophecies about Jesus were given/proclaimed hundreds of years before Christ came. God fulfilled His prophecies because He can - He's God. Man can't, because he's not only finite, but he's also rebellious and truce-breaker, except by the power of God through salvation and sanctification. Yet, even in Christ, we are not to boast in things of ourselves, for that is boasting in the flesh. We are to only say "if the Lord wills". Point being: Man can't keep many of his promises - God always can. So, when God gives a prophecy (different from 'prophesying'), God will keep His Word. So, when Scripture says clearly that none of Jesus' bones would be broken, it didn't lie and it wasn't inaccurate - it happened that way. - Back to the placement of the nail-scars, the only place that could have taken the large nails is/was in the wrist - not middle of the hand.

> Jesus supposedly gave 'homework' for Colton to do to keep busy (pg71)). Um... Do you see that anywhere in Scripture? No. You only see that in modern life on planet Earth. See again - transferring understandings from earth and placing over top of the Bible - imposing our understanding onto what God's Word clearly says. God does describe what we will be doing in Heaven, but homework is not needed. For those who think it is, they obviously have not studied the several dozen passages on Heaven and the New Jerusalem.

> Everybody in Colton's version of 'Heaven' has 'wings'. Yes, literally wings (pg 72). Do you see that in Scripture? No. The closest you see is that we, humans, when we get to Heaven will be like the angels. Scripture never says wings. Paul and John saw Heaven firsthand, and they too did not mention wings. This again, is imposing finite confused human perspective onto the Bible.

> Everyone in Colton's version of 'Heaven' has a 'light above their head' (pg73). Another error propagated by the Vatican and others who push that people can become demi-'gods' (half-'gods'/'godesses' or almost 'god'-like) here on Earth. That's a lie right out of old pagan mythology, including Greek, Egyptian, and Roman myths/legends.

> Todd Burpo, the supposed pastor/dad of Colton, gives clear commendation of the Vatican lying religion (pg82). He makes other ecumenical friendly comments - meaning accepting all religions and denomination corporations as 'Christian'.

> In Colton's version of 'Heaven', people apparently get a specifically fitted size of 'wings' that grows with them over time... that sounds like a lie right out of a Follywood movie, 'It's a Wonderful Life' comes to mind...

> In Colton's version of 'Heaven', Jesus was supposedly happy that Todd Burpo chose to be a pastor (pg 91). The only way that would be the case is if Mr. Burpo were teaching the Bible and all of it. Mr. Burpo is obviously much more concerned about money, than he is about repentance, obedient faith, fear of the Lord, departure from sin, fleeing idolatry, etc. Mr. Burpo spends most of his book talking about the 'nice things' about God - the One True God that Mr. Burpo apparently doesn't yet know. Jesus doesn't support or promote those who use God's Word to get money. God calls it peddling His Word for profit (2nd Corinthians 2:17). And Jesus made it even more clear:"²⁴No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

> Colton, when he had very little life in him, did apparently find out and/or understood that he had a little sister that had died. There are a variety of explanations for this, but the rest of the text proves that Colton did not see Heaven. What did he see? Sounds like a variety of his own imaginations (inspired by the 'Trash Vendor' [TV]), as well as other things he had in his memory (children have incredible memories), and some sort of spirit interacting with him in that point of time where he was almost lifeless. It's hard to guess what which (demon or angel) was interacting with Colton in this stage, but the details that contradict the Bible, lean toward demons. Sorry... but it's no surprise that demons interact with children. What do you think ouija boards are? It's demons enticing and interacting with children to seduce them into following these demonic lies. The wicked disney corporation has been teaching sexual perversion and witchcraft to kiddos for many decades. And, another note - just because some truth is stated, doesn't prove angels are talking or that God is talking. The old deceiver, satan, knows to use some truth or no one will listen to him. So, he uses some truth to draw people into a bigger lie, which always includes increasing self-centered confidence, decreasing the importance of sin, and decreasing the importance of the Word of God. Remember, this book is promoted by the New York Times (Rockefeller-run), and Follywood (hollywood) made a movie out of it, right? If Follywood allows it and promotes it, it's lies, you just have to study out to find out which flavor of lies it is pushing.

> On pg 97, Mr. Burpo is now clearly promoting his son's fantasies about 'Heaven' as Colton being an 'eyewitness (pg 97). If young Colton were an eye-witness, then his account would match the Bible, not contradict it.

> Colton's version of 'Heaven' has the angel Gabriel sitting at God's left. Um, a simple reading of the Book of Isaiah, or the Book of Revelation (in the Bible) would make it clear that Gabriel, as glorious as he is, is not the highest ranking angel or the mightiest (Revelation 5:2; 10:1-7; 18:21; 20:1). Scripture notes that humans that are faithful to Christ will sit on thrones, but never mentions any angels sitting on thrones, only them being messengers (Hebrews 1:7) for God and fellow servants (Revelation 22:9) along with the faithful follower of Christ.

> In Colton's version of 'Heaven', the Holy Spirit sits around, apparently plays games, and chats... again, young Colton and his Dad apparently have read very little of the Bible. Sadly, Mr. Burpo never reigns in these wild fantasies to match Scripture, but instead searches to find some random verse to take out of context to promote his son's 'experiences' about and onto the Bible.

> Page 107 shows Mr. Burpo using emotional psychology to get parents to volunteer in you corporation-church structure, while feeling good about themselves... God's church isn't a building or a corporation. He's outside knocking on all of that, calling people out of those to study His Word and learn to follow Him (Revelation 2 and 3 teaches a lot about this, specifically 3:14-22 talks about the current Laodicean church age that Paul teaches and warns about in 2nd Timothy 3 and 4).

> Page 108 shows Mr. Burpo teaching the modern garbage and demonic psychology changing God into a 'genie' and prayer into 'witchcraft' to get what we want.

> Page 111, Mr. Burpo is working on inventing a new friendlier 'gospel' that the apostle Paul would call a cursed false gospel about another Christ. "⁶I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. ¹⁰For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-10)

> On page 112, Colton's Dad is starting to want to get Colton preaching in his pulpit, as though Colton can preach better from his 'experiences' about 'Heaven', than his Dad is. Well, since Mr. Burpo isn't reading God's Word much, I guess they are about the same level of understanding... but that means neither should be teaching God's Word, because they are acting more like hirelings than honest Bible teachers. "²²Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure." (1st Timothy 5:22) And again: "²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; ³not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; ⁴one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence ⁵(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); ⁶not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1st Timothy 3:2-7)

> Another example of Mr. Burpo turning prayer into witchcraft/spell-like stuff is found on page 124. According to Colton's version of 'Heaven', God shoots invisible lightning to boost storytellers behind pulpits on Sundays. Yep, you read the right. Colton also said that it was supposedly the Holy Spirit zapping down on people... That is what Colton said, but it's wrong, and it's lies. The only 'power' we see given, in Scripture, are when someone become so compelled to preach against sin that they "grew bold" (Acts 13:46). God does not enable false teachers who tell nice stories - He never has, never will. He only emboldens and empowers those who preach His Word in a way that convicts hearts of the hearers to turn more away from sin, and more to following Christ whole-heartedly.

> On page 131, Mr. Burpo references some of the confusion that colors Colton's version of 'Heaven' - the mystical imaginations of an atheist false teacher named CS Lewis, and his 'Chronicles of Narnia' (a mix of Greek and Roman myths and his twisted version of Heaven and God). With the TV, super-heroes, and other things from the Trash Vendor (TV) being mentioned in this book, it's easy to see what illusions pulled together to be Colton's imaginations about 'Heaven'. And, this is a prime example of why me and others are trying to get honest Bible-believing followers of Christ away from fantasy completely... lies really do hurt, and that's why God commands us not to lie (in any way), and puts huge eternal judgments on false teachers and false gospels. We need to keep studying 1 Book to find who God is and what He requires of us. And that takes a lot more than a half-hearted 15 minute glance at it. We need to desire to know God, or we will fall for someone's trick sold for money.

> In Colton's version of 'Heaven', angels have to carry swords to keep satan out of 'Heaven'. I guess it doesn't matter that Scripture says that satan gives an account before God every day (Job 1:7;2:2), and is an accuser of the followers of Christ, everyday (Revelation 12:10). As I said above, satan always mixes a little truth with a lot of carefully-worded fiction. In case you have forgotten, God's Word explains satan and his co-conspirators (demons and humans) very well:"¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15)

> In Colton's version of 'Heaven', God and humans will one-day battle 'dragons and monsters' (pg136-137). No joke - that is what Colton said, it's just wrong. It's a mix of demonic-inspired movies, and a very confused understanding of the future accounts and symbolisms found in the Book of Revelation. Again, do you remember what I said above - we need to *never* take an obscure passage and rightly discern it by itself and then put that understanding on the rest of Scripture. We need to always compare God's Word to itself. It's not One Book divided in two, but One Book all the way through. If you throw away your others books, and just read the Bible and study it and study it and study it, you will see that God's Word fits together like an ever-unfolding tightly-woven beautiful tapestry. You can't take one piece out of context and understand things. If your or my understanding of a piece contradicts something else in the Bible that's clear, then our understanding needs to be tweaked, not the Bible.

> On page 145, the Burpo family gives credit to some of the modern lies of what Jesus looked/looks like. They show it in the middle of the book. I personally doubt anyone on Earth can draw a picture of Jesus, especially a child whose picture of 'Heaven' is so distorted from Scripture. I also know that many visual ideas of what Jesus looked like come from Vatican/Jesuit ideas, including one French prince. A good rule of thumb: Don't trust anyone who tries to describe Jesus' face for money.

> There is apparently a reference to Mary hanging around Jesus in Colton's version of Heaven, too. But I can't seem to find that reference, so I don't know if that's a reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene.

***

So, I pray this short book review helps you hold to God's Word more and want to spend more time in it. I also pray it pricked your heart to turn away from more fantasies of satan that do confuse us. Remember, we are most easily deceived by what we want to believe. God is pure, loving, and good, *and* He is just, holy, and Creator. God's messages and messengers will always challenge and convict us to obey His Word, not sit down with a new experience of warm-happy-fuzzies.

~ Watching, Preaching, Praying, SH

P.S. If you have any questions on this book report or would like to discuss the Bible more, please email me anytime: Steven.H3(at)gmail.com. Or look me up on Facebook by that email address. ~ Till next time, let's keep growing in hunger and thirst for God's Word, humble obedience to Him, and boldness in preaching and teaching His Word to all who will listen. ~ a growing servant/life-slave of Jesus, Steven (SH)